One of the most ruthless knockouts of the year came at UFC 317.
This year’s International Fight Week is a violent one in Las Vegas, Nevada. From Sin City, Ilia Topuria fights Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight title in the main event.
In the co-headliner, Alexander Pantoja defends his flyweight championship against Kai Kara-France.
The featured prelim of UFC 317 took place in the middleweight division as Gregory Rodrigues turned in a ferocious knockout of Jack Hermansson that left the former top contender unconscious for several minutes.
Rodrigues received some flak for the knockout. Rodrigues landed an additional hammer-fist on an unconscious Hermansson two seconds after knocking him out with a left hook.
UFC commentator Joe Rogan said Rodrigues’ final blow was ‘unnecessary’ and Daniel Cormier complained that referee Herb Dean should have saved Hermansson from the punch.
Gregory Rodrigues responds to criticism for final blow at UFC 317
Post-fight, Rodrigues was criticized online for not showing restraint against Hermansson.
“First of all, I don’t care what the people think,” Rodrigues said of the controversy at the UFC 317 post-fight press conference.
“When you go inside the cage, we sign the contract, we’re able to do everything.
“Because if he was on the other side and he did the same, why are you gonna be mad with him or something like that? He did his job.
“But, I hope he’s okay. He’s a warrior like me,” Rodrigues said of Hermansson.
“I’m not gonna stop till the ref [says] stop. I just did my job, and I will gonna keep doing that. That’s what I do. That’s what he does, and it is what it is. That was my night.”
Jack Hermansson medically cleared after KO loss at UFC 317
The perennial contender Jack Hermansson is A-OK following his KO loss to Rodrigues.
Hermansson was unconscious on the canvas for several minutes before he left the Octagon and the final blow didn’t help.
About 30 minutes after the fight, the UFC broadcast revealed Hermansson was stable.
During Brandon Royval vs. Joshua Van, the broadcast reported Hermansson had been medically cleared from the hospital and would be sent to his hotel.
Hermansson, 37, hadn’t fought in 16 months prior to fighting Rodrigues at UFC 317.